I think we've faced two relatively weak offenses (NY and AZ). NY has an oline in transition and an underwhelming WR corp. AZ got beat by the Seachickens lol...that team is just bad right now. In Dallas we faced an oline that could barely put a play together and a QB wincing with every breath.

...our defense is improved no doubt, but I'm holding that the improvement is dependent on Kerrigan/Orakpo. That's all.

BS. Manningham and Nicks combined for 20 TDs last season. That's damn good production no matter what.

Beanie Wells can scorch Ds and Larry Fitzergald is a beast. Last year's D would have been blown out by Wells and/or Fitz. We held them down this year.

The Dallas o-line picked up our blitzes and kept Romo fairly clean.

__________________ Analysis using datasets (aka stats) is an attempt at reverse-engineering a player's "goodness".

Virtuosity remembered, douchebaggery forgotten.

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In terms of who we've played, Dallas ranks 5th in yardage, AZ 18th and The Giants 20th. In terms of points scored, Giants are 11th and Dallas 13th, Arizona 22nd (but this is misleading as they've averaged 19.7 ppg and there are FIVE teams tied with 20ppg at 17th)

The teams we have faced are certainly not the class of the NFL, but I would say they are average to above average opponents.

__________________"To bring a Sherm Lewis in to a Jim Zorn and whoever his offensive coordinator is, it's like bringing in another man to help teach you how to make better love to your wife or something." -- Tre Johnson

Actually, I thought our interior line played well. We just need to do a better job at disguising blitzes. Oh and tackling continues to be an issue.

We are in agreement.
My response was a refutation to the guy's premise that Rak and Kerrigan are the only ones responsible for our improve defense. Our interior boys this year are better than the ones we had last year, and the performance of our OLBs [will] reflect that.

__________________ Analysis using datasets (aka stats) is an attempt at reverse-engineering a player's "goodness".

Virtuosity remembered, douchebaggery forgotten.

The ideal character profile shoved down modern Western men and women's throats is Don Juan.

We are in agreement.
My response was a refutation to the guy's premise that Rak and Kerrigan are the only ones responsible for our improve defense. Our interior boys this year are better than the ones we had last year, and the performance of our OLBs [will] reflect that.

Ah gotcha. Despite my criticism of the defense, yes they are much much better than last year. I wish they would get to the level where they could overcome our offensive deficiencies and win the game for us (like the way the Steelers D won that game on Sunday night).

Neither Nicks nor Manningham were top 10 WRs last year and I'd be surprised if either will be after '11. They're roughly an average WR tandem, which I equate to underwhelming.

It's sooooooo frustrating to discuss all the opponents we face as top this and top that...as though every Turd Ferguson is going to Canton lol.

The verdict on the defense is still out. So far we've seen solid improvement when Kerrigan and Orakpo are dominating together. But whatever my point is the defensive effort against Dallas is nothing to brag about...jeez lol. The humor of putting on airs from facing a seriously injured QB and incompetent line is giving me a side ache lol

Neither Nicks nor Manningham were top 10 WRs last year and I'd be surprised if either will be after '11. They're roughly an average WR tandem, which I equate to underwhelming.

It's sooooooo frustrating to discuss all the opponents we face as top this and top that...as though every Turd Ferguson is going to Canton lol.

The verdict on the defense is still out. So far we've seen solid improvement when Kerrigan and Orakpo are dominating together. But whatever my point is the defensive effort against Dallas is nothing to brag about...jeez lol. The humor of putting on airs from facing a seriously injured QB and incompetent line is giving me a side ache lol

I think that improvements in our defense has been hindered by the inability of the offense to capitalize on their performance (i.e. turnovers, short field, etc., etc.). I think this would cloud anyone's perception (esp someone who's been drinking).

However, our defense is not quite at the level of being an elite defense that straight up wins games despite of the offensive woes.

Neither Nicks nor Manningham were top 10 WRs last year and I'd be surprised if either will be after '11. They're roughly an average WR tandem, which I equate to underwhelming.

It's sooooooo frustrating to discuss all the opponents we face as top this and top that...as though every Turd Ferguson is going to Canton lol.

The verdict on the defense is still out. So far we've seen solid improvement when Kerrigan and Orakpo are dominating together. But whatever my point is the defensive effort against Dallas is nothing to brag about...jeez lol. The humor of putting on airs from facing a seriously injured QB and incompetent line is giving me a side ache lol

Umm, using the link you provided:

- Nicks was 5th in the league in yds/gm last year
- Nicks was tied for 4th in receiving TD's (11); Manningham was tied with Kenny Britt, TO and Witten for 14th (9 TDs)
- Nicks and Manningham were 5th and 6th in 20+ yd receptions

Your use of one very specific stat (total receiving yards) to prove that the tandem were merely average last year is, at best, disingenuous. As a pair they were good for 2,000 and 20, which is top tier no matter how you slice it.

No other team in the league had a duo that was close, with the exception of Philly with Maclin/Jackson (2,020/16) and Dallas with Austin/Witten (2,043/16).

__________________"To bring a Sherm Lewis in to a Jim Zorn and whoever his offensive coordinator is, it's like bringing in another man to help teach you how to make better love to your wife or something." -- Tre Johnson